Starting with pe in 1933, side judges were replaced by the Laurent-Pagan electrical scoring apparatus, with an audible tone and a red or green light indicating when a touch landed. Another Point of View was automated in 1956, sabre in 1988. The scoring box minimized the bias in judging, and permitted more precise scoring of faster actions, lighter touches, and more touches to the back and flank than previously.
Each weapon has its own rules and techniques. Equipment required consists of at least 2 swords, a lam (not for pe), a white jacket, underarm protector, two body and mask cables, knee high socks, glove and knickers. Foil The foil is a light thrusting weapon with an optimum weight of 500 grams.
The foil has a little circular hand guard that serves to protect the hand from direct stabs. As the hand is not a valid target in foil, this is mainly for security. Touches are scored only with the tip; hits with the side of the blade do not register on the electronic scoring apparatus (and do not stop the action).
Just a single touch can be granted to either fencer at the end of an expression. If both fencers land touches within a close sufficient period of milliseconds to sign up 2 lights on the device, the referee uses the guidelines of "access" to figure out which fencer is awarded the touch, or if an off-target hit has top priority over a legitimate hit, in which case no touch is granted.
pe The pe is a thrusting weapon like the foil, however heavier, with an optimum total weight of 775 grams. In pe, the whole body is a valid target. The hand guard on the pe is a big circle that extends towards the pommel, effectively covering the hand, which is a legitimate target in pe.
Hits with the side of the blade do not register on the electronic scoring device (and do not stop the action). As the whole body is legal target, there is no concept of an off-target touch, except if the fencer accidentally strikes the floor, setting off the light and tone on the scoring apparatus.